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town and civil parish in West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England
Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > England > South East England > Oxfordshire > Burford

Burford is a picturesque town known as the "gateway to the Cotswolds", a predominantly rural landscape with stone-built villages, historical towns and stately homes and gardens.

Understand

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St John the Baptist Church

Being 18 miles west of Oxford, 2 miles from the Oxfordshire border, and on the southern bank of the River Windrush. the town dates back to the middle Saxon period and is recorded in the Doomsday Book as being an "agricultural village". However, around 1100 the town was granted its charter meaning that today, despite having a population of only 1,400 people (2012), it is classified as a "town".

The decision that the railway be routed through Charlbury undoubtedly affected the town's prosperity but also allowed it to maintain its character.

The town church was instrumental in the formation of Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. In 1874, designer William Morris visited Burford Church and was appalled by the "restoration" works being carried out. Much "restoration" then seemed to involve destroying (or significantly altering) the genuine old features to replace them with "sham" modern imitations. On his visit to Burford Church, he witnessed the ongoing destruction of the medieval wall paintings and was prompted to start the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Not all of the wall paintings were destroyed, and many can still be seen today.

Get in

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By bus

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Buses run between Burford and other local towns:

By road

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By car you can reach Burford easily via the A40 from Oxford or Cheltenham directions. Otherwise you can come in from the direction of Stow-on-the-Wold on the A424 which is a beautiful drive.

There is a 1 free car-park at the bottom end of town, and car-parking on the streets as well as at Burford Recreation Ground off Tanners Lane. Be careful, though, as parking in some areas is limited to 2 hours - this is clearly marked. Most of the hotels also have their own car-parking.

By train

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There's no station in Burford. Most services stop at Charlbury station whilst slightly closer Shipton has a more limited service. Both stations are on the line to Oxford and Worcester. There are direct trains to London Paddington twice an hour.

  • 2 Charlbury railway station, Station Approach, off Dyers Hill, Charlbury, OX7 3HH (9 miles NE of Burford). Charlbury railway station (Q2779541) on Wikidata Charlbury railway station on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)
  • 3 Shipton railway station, Station Rd, Shipton-under-Wychwood OX7 5FJ (5 miles N of Burford). Shipton railway station (Q2202267) on Wikidata Shipton railway station on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)

By bicycle

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Get around

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The town is small enough to walk everywhere. The lovely high street has many shops, pubs and tea rooms to spend a pleasant afternoon browsing.

High Street
Witney Street
  • 1 St John the Baptist, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY, ☏ +44 1993 823788, . Large Anglican church in Burford. Built in 1175, the church has some interesting features. 
  • 2 Tolsey Museum, 122 High St, Burford OX18 4QU. Early Apr-late Oct: Tu-Su 2-5PM. Local museum featuring exhibits such as a charter from Henry VIII granting a fair and a doll's house modelled after the Great House on Witney St. The museum is situated on the first floor (up stairs) of the Tolsey so there is no disabled access. (updated Sep 2017)
Levellers Day Morris Dancing
  • Walk. There is a lovely walk from Burford to Little and Great Barrington. 
  • 1 Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bradwell Grove, Burford OX18 4JP (2½ miles S of Burford), ☏ +44 1993 823006, . Apr-Oct: 10AM-6PM; Nov-Mar: 10AM-5PM or dusk. Adult £15; Children & seniors £10. Cotswold Wildlife Park (Q5175494) on Wikidata Cotswold Wildlife Park on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)
  • Levellers Day. Annual commemorative event remembering the execution of 3 soldiers in Burford Churchyard on the orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1649. They belonged to a movement known as the Levellers, with beliefs in civil rights and religious tolerance. Speeches, rally, debates, refreshments, stalls, music. Banbury_mutiny#Levellers.27_Day on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)
  • 1 W. J. Castle, 111 High St, Burford OX18 4RG, ☏ +44 1993 822113. Tu-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-4PM. Fantastic butchers. 
  • 2 Burford Sweets (The Sweet Shop), 94 High St, Burford OX18 4QF, ☏ +44 1993 824344. M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Su 10AM-5PM. A small confectioner that sells sweets usually in 100 g (3 oz) from a jar. (updated Oct 2018)
  • 3 Burford Garden Company (Burford Garden Centre), Shilton Rd, Burford OX18 4PA, ☏ +44 1993 823117, . M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A large and notable garden centre, but due to its size it's like a department store. They sell toys, clothing, confectionery, souvenirs, furniture and antiques. Also has an upmarket café. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 4 The Co-op (The Co-operative), 76 High St, Burford OX18 4QF, ☏ +44 1993 823038. M-Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 7AM-10PM. A local convenience store. (updated Jun 2017)

As with much of the Cotswolds antiques are a big thing in Burford. There are regular Antique fairs which take place at the church and in one of the buildings on the high street. There are also antique shops selling some beautiful things.

  • 1 Huffkins Tea Room, 98 & 96 High St, Burford OX18 4QF, ☏ +44 1993 822126. A lovely tea room serving anything from a traditional cream tea with home-baked scones to a good plate of bangers and mash. Very popular with locals and tourists. Child friendly. shop and tea rooms opening hours vary through year mid-range. 
  • 2 The Mermaid, 78 High St, Burford OX18 4QF, ☏ +44 1993 822193, . Restaurant serving traditional food in a traditional setting. 
  • Wychwood Deli, The Green, Milton-under-Wychwood, OX7 6GF. 9AM-5PM. Local deli. 
  • 3 The Priory (Restaurant & B&B), 35 High St, Burford OX18 4QA, ☏ +44 1993 823249. Daily 8:30AM-5:30PM. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 4 The Spice Lounge (Indian Restaurant), 81 High St, Burford OX18 4QA, ☏ +44 1993 823340. M-Th noon-2PM & 6-10PM, F 6-10PM, Sa Su noon-2PM & 6-10PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Drink

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Burford Royal Oak

There are a number of good pubs in Burford with pints costing around £2.50 to £3 each.

Sleep

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  • 1 Travelodge Burford, Bury Barn A40, Burford OX18 4JF, ☏ +44 8719 846018 (premium). Check-in: from 3PM (noon £10), check-out: by noon (2PM £10). Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking From £70 a night. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 The Fox Inn (Pub, Food & Rooms), Great Barrington OX18 4TB, ☏ +44 1451 844385, . Pub: Daily all day. Food: M-F noon-2:30PM & 6:30PM-9:30PM, Sa Su noon-9:30PM. A traditional pub in small village near Burford. On the River Windrush, with great garden and traditional pub meals. Worth a visit for a pint, or to stay. 
  • 3 The Highway Inn (Pub, Food & Rooms), 117 High St, Burford OX18 4RG, ☏ +44 1993 823661, . (updated Jun 2017)
  • 4 The Lamb Inn, Sheep St, Burford OX18 4LR, ☏ +44 1993 823155, . Good food, but it's the accommodation in upscale country style that scores. B&B double from £160. (updated Jul 2020)
  • 5 The Burford House Hotel (Hotel, Restaurant & Tea Rooms), 99 High St, Burford OX18 4QA, ☏ +44 1993 823151, . Food: Tu-Sa noon-2:30PM & 6-9PM, Su noon-4PM. Bar: M-Th noon-10:30PM, F Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-6PM. Tea House: M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-6PM. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 6 Five Alls, Filkins, Lechlade GL7 3JQ, ☏ +44 1367 860875. 18th-century country pub and restaurant with nine rooms. Good atmosphere, comfort and food, though limited vegetarian choice. B&B double £120. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 7 Thyme at Southrop Manor, Lechlade GL7 3NX, ☏ +44 1367 850174. Amazing secluded hotel in a 17th-century manor farm, great dining. With spa and cookery school. B&B double £300. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 8 Maytime Inn, Asthall, Burford OX18 4HW, ☏ +44 1993 822068. Atmospheric 17th-century coaching inn with six rooms and great dining. B&B double £100. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 9 Swan Inn, Swinbrook OX18 4DY, ☏ +44 1993 823339. Cosy country pub with rooms on River Windrush. B&B double £130. (updated Mar 2023)

Connect

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  • 1 Post Office, Burford News, 107 High St, Burford OX18 4RG. M-Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 7AM-5PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Go next

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Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Oxford isn't too far away and is a good next stop if you're leaving the Cotswolds. Swanbrook bus no. 853[dead link] runs to Oxford and surrounding towns. Check the schedule as this does not run frequently - especially on Sunday.

If you want to see other attractive villages in the Cotswolds, then Broadway, Chipping Norton, Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold could be good places to head to.

Roads are flat and good for cycling.

Routes through Burford
Gloucester ← Cheltenham ←  W  E  → Witney → Oxford
Banbury ← Chipping Norton ←  N  S  → Highworth → Swindon


This city travel guide to Burford is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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